Red wine making protocol

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Folks, anyone made a protocol for kit wine enhancements? I'm looking for something tunable, so that each could enhance it as needed. It would gives a sequence and timing of steps (even if it includes IF (ie if SG is X, do Y. Or add X by bench trial. See XYZ for protocol)). As we age, we forget steps or miss steps. The Protocol would be a check-list style, that could be saved as printed History Record (yeah, I am working in Medical Device Manufacturing...). Something to include - adding (when/how much) grapes, seeds, pomice, Color Pro, fermentation tannin, yeast, yeast feed at SG, SG at first racking / press, oaks, mix batches, ML+Feed, Finishing Tannin, (clarifiers), 2nd, 3rd racking, glycerin, (sorbate), bottling.
I am sure I've missed something. If not, I will draft something for Board Experts to comment on. Thanks. Al.
 
I keep my notes online, and typically duplicate the most similar previous wine, and use the ingredient list as a checklist, and may review other notes to see if I missed anything. A template for new notes would be better, something like the checklist you describe.

Unless someone has one, take a stab at it. The usual crew will cheerfully beat up on the strawman. ;)
 
I keep my notes online, and typically duplicate the most similar previous wine, and use the ingredient list as a checklist, and may review other notes to see if I missed anything. A template for new notes would be better, something like the checklist you describe.

Unless someone has one, take a stab at it. The usual crew will cheerfully beat up on the strawman. ;)
OK, here's the first draft. I use LibreOffice. If you have problems opening it in excel, let me know please. An option would be to port it to the googledoc. Also - the docx could not be uploaded. I zipped it. some cells have xx in it - will polupate based on the feedback.
 

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  • Wine Check List.zip
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OK, here's the first draft. I use LibreOffice. If you have problems opening it in excel, let me know please. An option would be to port it to the googledoc. Also - the docx could not be uploaded. I zipped it. some cells have xx in it - will polupate based on the feedback.
I'll take a look and give you feedback.

Note that MS Office and LibreOffice will read each other's formats. They do BAD things in translation, but reading is not a problem.
 
I'm a good reviewer for you, but not a good beta tester.

As a reviewer -- I'm versed in identifying problems with the checklist. One thing that jumped out immediately is the format is too scrunched. Fields need to be larger to handle more text, regardless if you're writing on a printed sheet or typing it into a word processor. For a basic checklist it's fine, but the recording of exceptions is (IMO) more important than acknowledging that a basic step has been completed.

As a beta tester? I'm detail oriented, but in a different mindset.

The sheet has a lot of detail I don't see value in, e.g., marking each piece of equipment as sanitized. When I take notes, it's regarding my decisions and actions, not details such as sanitization. I have a jug of K-meta solution and hit everything with it, including racking from container to container, which gets the racking equipment as well.

Don't take this is a criticism of your process. Folks think differently, and what works for one person doesn't for another. As an example, I'm posting chunks from one of my notes to illustrate the differences. I chose this one as it's VERY non-typical, comprised of several grapes:

1737928487146.png

This is a 2-step process for me -- I use the basic list to remember what to add (or not). Then I go back and write in what I actually did. This list was updated several times, as Aging Oak was post-fermentation and Glycerin was at bottling time.

The K-meta was what was added up front -- I list when I add it (see below) but don't add up the amounts as that particular value isn't useful in the future. Each batch is different and I address each one according to its needs.

1737928750470.png

Each batch is different, so my notes are free form. I may check temperature ... or not. Checking SG depends on the day and if I decide it's of value to take the time.

1737928900174.png


Bottling was different for this batch, as it was used completely as a blending wine for 2 other wines:


1737929009395.png

My post bottling notes don't matter as much for this one, but most do.


1737929108150.png
 
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